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Comcast lining up more day-and-date HD VOD this month

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 7th 2009 at 5:03AM

Consider another shot fired in the HD VOD wars, now Comcast is claiming "most same day VOD & DVD releases" for the month of November. Angels & Demons, Bruno, The Ugly Truth and others are among those hitting the VOD slate the same day they hit shelves, while movies like the Transformers and Ice Age sequels make their delayed appearance this month as well. Still, while providers slap box over ad campaigns, until the menus get simpler to navigate and prices come down to Redbox-competitive levels, who has more VOD and when just isn't that big of a deal to us.

Microsoft emancipates Digital Cable Tuners with second Media Center update today

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 6th 2009 at 10:19PM


Scant hours after the SDV tuning, DRM-relaxing firmware update for Vista and Windows 7 Digital Cable Tuner users became available, Missing Remote let us know Microsoft has come through on the other half of its CEDIA promise by pushing the Digital Cable Advisor to Media Center Extras galleries everywhere. This half should enable all Windows 7 PCs to work with the CableCard tuners, sans-OEM requirement or inconvenient hacking. Sure we could ask for more from Windows 7 Media Center, but for now Netflix and these two (in less than 100 days) will have to do.

Read - MCE: Digital Cable Advisor Tool Available Now!
Read - ATI DCT Firmware update pops up on Windows Update, DRM-free MCE recordings & are a go

HDTV Listings for November 6, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 6th 2009 at 5:08PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • CW (1080i) has Smallville at 8 p.m.
  • USA (1080i) has Monk at 9 p.m. and White Collar at 10 p.m.
  • ABC (720p) has Ugly Betty at 9 p.m.
  • MyNetworkTV (1080i) has WWE: Smackdown at 9 p.m.
  • CBS (1080i) brings Ghost Whisperer at 8 p.m., Medium at 9 p.m. and Numb3rs at 10 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) presents King of the Crown at 10 & 10:30 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) has Law & Order at 8 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has an NBA doubleheader with Cavaliers/Knicks at 8 p.m. and Spurs/Blazers at 10:30 p.m.
  • ESPN2 (720p) airs Boise State/Louisiana Tech college football at 8 p.m.

ATI DCT Firmware update pops up on Windows Update, DRM-free MCE recordings are a go

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 6th 2009 at 4:32PM


Microsoft delivered the first half of two promised ATI Digital Cable Tuner-related updates as the 1.19.12.09050155 firmware update is now available from Windows Update (listed with the optional udates) that will relax the way it handles DRM on its recordings and add support for Switched Digital Video. With the new update applied, all Copy Freely-marked programing will be recorded without DRM allowing you to move it between PCs, convert it to another format or whatever you wish with ease, however as our hands on experience with the new firmware indicated you'll still need your cable provider to pass along the right bits to make it all operate properly. Still waiting in the wings is the Advisor Utility that will allow Digital Cable Tuners to work with any PC, no OEM purchase or hacking skills required.

[Thanks, Rob]

Boxee shows off its new look at Beta Unveiling jam December 7

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 6th 2009 at 4:16PM

We won't cancel our trips to Vegas just yet, but Boxee is planning on giving users an early peek at its new beta release -- with all new UI, queue, navigation and search features -- December 7 at the Music hall of Williamsburg. Beta Unveiling visitors will be the first to get their hands on the new version and see new applications being launched by partners, leading to early access beta testers giving it a four week shakedown run before the planned wide release January 7 at CES. Any ideas what form Boxee might take in this next step on its road to commercial viability?

HDTV Listings for November 5, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 5th 2009 at 4:47PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • ABC (720p) has FlashForward at 8 p.m., Grey's Anatomy at 9 p.m. and Private Practice at 10:01 p.m.
  • Fox (720p) brings Bones at 8 p.m. and Fringe at 9 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) has Community at 8 p.m., Parks & Recreation at 8:30 p.m., The Office at 9 p.m. and 30 Rock at 9:30 p.m
  • WGN (1080i) has WWE Superstars at 8 p.m.
  • CW (1080i) airs The Vampire Diaries at 8 p.m. and Supernatural at 9 p.m.
  • FX (720p) has It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia at 10 p.m. and The League at 10:30 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) has American Chopper at 9 p.m. and Heavy Haulers at 10 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has Virginia Tech/East Carolina college football at 8 p.m.
  • ESPN2 (720p) has Real Salt Lake/Columbus Crew MLS action at 8 p.m.

Ready for the first all-HD Winter Olympics? NBC is

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 5th 2009 at 2:57PM

Forget Torino and its quality issues, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver promises to be a different event, and this time it is coming home shot 100% natively in HD. Watching on TV, viewers can expect a slew of coverage across NBC's networks, plus a continuously updated HD VOD package of the day's highlights, and interactive TV features to pull up medal counts, athlete bios and Team USA reports. Checking in online? NBC is back with a new iteration of Microsoft's Silverlight streaming, promising even more HD footage, with the ability to fast forward and rewind streams, plus save clips to your computer. Behind the online efforts are the encoding skills of iStreamPlanet providing 23 different video feeds, with Akamai's new HD distribution network distributing the adaptive bitrate streams directly to your PC. Remember when we were just happy to get 5.1 surround?

Read - Akamai and iStreamPlanet to Power Live and on-Demand Video for NBC's Coverage of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games

Continue reading Ready for the first all-HD Winter Olympics? NBC is

HDTV Listings for November 4, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 4th 2009 at 4:21PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • Fox (720p) has Phillies/Yankees World Series Game 6 at 7:30 p.m.
  • CBS (1080i) has The New Adventures of Old Christine at 8 p.m., Gary Unmarried at 8:30 p.m., Criminal Minds at 9 p.m. and CSI: NY at 10 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) brings Mercy at 8 p.m. and Law & Order SVU at 9 p.m.
  • ABC (720p) has Hank at 8 p.m., The Middle at 8:30 p.m., Modern Family at 9 p.m., Cougar Town at 9:30 p.m. and Eastwick at 10 p.m.
  • FX (720p) has Nip/Tuck at 10 p.m.
  • Discovery (1080i) has Mythbusters at 9 p.m. and Time Warp at 10 p.m.
  • Comedy Central (1080i) airs South Park at 10 p.m.
  • Spike (1080i) has The Ultimate Fighter at 10 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) has the series premiere of Flowers Uncut at 10 p.m.
  • TBS (1080i) has the season premiere of House of Payne at 9 & 9:30 p.m. and Meet the Browns at 10 & 10:30 p.m.
  • Syfy (1080i) has Ghost Hunters at 9 p.m. and Destination Truth at 10 p.m.
  • Travel (1080i) has Man vs. Food at 10 p.m.
  • DirecTV (1080i) has Friday Night Lights at 9 p.m.
  • History (720p) has Nostradamus Effect at 9 p.m. and MysteryQuest at 10 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) has an NBA doubleheader with Heat/Wizards at 7 p.m. and Mavericks/Hornets at 9:30 p.m.
  • Cartoon Network (1080i) has Star Wars: The Clone Wars at 8 p.m.

Forget HDTV and 3D, when is Ultra HDTV / Super Hi-vision coming home?

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 4th 2009 at 3:39PM


Not willing to make predictions about the future of HDTV with all the other analysts, In-Stat has jumped ahead with its latest report, a peek at the future of Ultra High Definition (though the kids are calling it Super Hi-Vision these days.) We'd heard the 8K / 4K broadcasts could flip on as early as 2015, but this report pegs 2017 - 2022 as a more likely time period, with the expectation that 28.2% of European households will be sporting the 22.2-channel audio spec by 2025. Of course, if you must be first on the block with it, there's always JVC's $175k DLA-RS4000 available right now.

RVU Alliance gets Motorola, Pace, Thomson and others to dream the multiroom dream

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 4th 2009 at 2:22PM


Chalk up a few more for the multiroom crowd, as the RVU Alliance (get familiar) has added some power names from the set-top box market to its roster as "Promoter" members. The new additions appear to set things up for compatible solutions from your cable or satellite provider arriving sooner rather than later, capable of streaming video and interfaces from set-tops to any screen in the house. Names like Motorola, Pace and Thomson have probably already graced your entertainment rack, while lesser known additions include Entropic Communications, maker of hardware for home entertainment networking, JetHead, focused on creating RVU client software, and set-top manufacturer NXP. Is hoping for a big splash at CES too much? We think not.

Ask Engadget HD: Where can I find Blu-ray movies for cheap on Black Friday and beyond?

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 4th 2009 at 1:00PM

Prices on Blu-ray players continue to plunge, inducing more and more to make the jump, but what about the software? We've asked where you buy your discs before, but this time we're presented with a brand new adopter looking to stock up on titles during the holiday season. That's Sean's situation, where to look for Blu-ray discs over the next month if price is the only consideration.

"Instead of camping out for a big ticket purchase on black Friday, I already grabbed a new flat screen and Blu-ray player, but so far I only have a couple of movies to watch on it. I really want to upgrade my library with plenty of reference quality selections, and I figure holiday seasons will be a great time to do it. Any advice on where to look for the deepest discounts / bundles over the next couple of months?"

So, we know there's more than a few of you always on the lookout for a BOGO or better offer to come along whether buying for yourself or as gifts, any tips for our tightfisted friend here?

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

HDTV Listings for November 3, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 3rd 2009 at 5:24PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • ABC (720p) has the series premiere of V at 8 p.m., Dancing with the Stars at 9 p.m. and The Forgotten at 10 p.m.
  • CW (1080i) airs 90210 at 8 p.m. and Melrose Place at 9 p.m.
  • DirecTV (1080i) has Eyes at 10 p.m
  • CBS (1080i) has NCIS at 8 p.m. NCIS: LA at 9 p.m. and The Good Wife at 10 p.m.
  • Discovery (1080i) brings Dirty Jobs at 9 p.m. and Ghost Lab at 10 p.m.
  • Syfy (1080i) has ECW at 10 p.m.
  • A&E (720p) has Parking Wars at 10 & 10:30 p.m.
  • FX (720p) has Sons of Anarchy at 10 p.m.
  • HBO (1080i) presents By the People: The Election of Barack Obama at 9 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) airs 30 for 30: Without Bias at 8 p.m.
  • ESPN2 (720p) has Bowling Green/Buffalo college football at 7 p.m.

Are DVRs actually going to save the network TV model?

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 2nd 2009 at 5:29PM

Stay tuned for the network's latest DVR strategy: acceptance. Armed with the latest Nielsen data, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox are rushing to tell advertisers that even with a set-top box and its bevy of pauses, fast forwards and 30 second skips at the ready -- we're guessing this doesn't apply to Media Center users on automated setups -- most viewers simply settle in and watch the commercials anyway. The New York Times breaks down the commercial-plus-three ratings system the networks initially opposed that could end up saving shows like Heroes from cancellation -- though a return to the old way of thinking might be worthwhile if it means an end to that show's now pitiable existence.

HDTV Listings for November 2, 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 2nd 2009 at 5:07PM

What we're watching tonight:
  • Fox (720p) has Phillies/Yankees World Series Game 5 at 7:30 p.m.
  • CBS (1080i) has How I Met Your Mother at 8 p.m., Accidentally On Purpose at 8:30 p.m., Two and a Half Men at 9 p.m., The Big Bang Theory at 9:30 p.m. and CSI: Miami at 10 p.m
  • ABC Family (720p) has Lincoln Heights at 8 p.m. and the fall finale of Greek at 9 p.m.
  • NBC (1080i) airs Heroes at 8 p.m. and Trauma at 9 p.m.
  • ABC (720p) has Dancing with the Stars at 8 p.m. and Castle at 10:01 p.m.
  • TLC (1080i) has Little People, Big World at 8 & 8:30 p.m., Jon & Kate Plus 8 at 9 p.m. and Cake Boss at 10 & 10:30 p.m
  • CW (1080i) airs One Tree Hill at 8 p.m. and Gossip Girl at 9 p.m.
  • USA (1080i) has WWE: Raw at 9 p.m.
  • ESPN (720p) airs Falcons/Saints Monday Night Football at 8:30 p.m.
  • History (720p) presents Strange Rituals at 10 p.m.

Analyst: More HDTV owners getting a steady diet of high definition for every day viewing

by Richard Lawler posted Nov 2nd 2009 at 2:43PM

Last seen belatedly dubbing HDTV "game changing" for 2008, analytical firm Knowledge Networks is back with its latest breaking observation, finding owners are 65% more likely now than they were two years ago to say they are watching HD programming daily. Up from 26% in an '07 survey to 43%, we sadly noted that amount of people that always check for the high definition feed instead of SD rose only slightly from 61% to 68% among the 510 surveyed. Seeing fair and balanced numbers on the appeal of stretch-o-vision (we already know how you feel about it) would have been nice, but check the press release to see the stats networks and advertisers are probably checking before deciding to spring for HD specifically broken down across genre and gender.




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